Plarn Crocheted Baskets

Good morning and come in out of the really hot weather.  90 + for several days and with the rain, the humidity is out the top.  Hibernation in an air conditioned home is the only answer I know so come on in out of the heat.

As I wrote awhile ago, I have been crocheting bags and totes from plarn.  This is yarn made from strips of plastic bags which would be tossed in the trash or used as trash can liners.  Having shown how to do this on Plarn Crocheted Bags, I will show you how it evolved into baskets.

I am fascinated by baskets of all types and many throughout the house holding magazines, yarn, this that and the other.  They were bought in many places and I use them to "hide" lots of "stuff."  Because I have many bags and totes I have crocheted, I began making baskets. 

The one at the top is a little stash basket I keep close by my usual sitting place to keep a pet brush, fingernail clippers, and whatever else I want close by.  It is crocheted from strips made from Piggly Wiggly bags with a Dollar General bag thrown in for a little color and some other store that I can't recall.



They make great fruit and vegetable  baskets for they allow air to circulate, easy to clean - put in sink with warm water and detergent - and will hold lots for it stretches.  These are Walmart bags and I crocheted over poly rope I buy at Dollar Tree.  This adds strength and helps it keep its shape better.  Being plastic rope, it can be washed also.

Another little vegetable bag and I did not crochet over the poly rope but  plarn I made from  clear plastic bags.  This adds strength and keeps those large, clear bags from the landfill.

I tried squaring off the bottom on this one by single crocheting over the row in which I began the sides.  Not sure I like it but it is different and this one is crocheted from large newspaper sleaves from Houston, TX.  My sweet sister-in-law brings them to me.  These are bit heavier and makes a sturdy bag or basket.

 This is my most, difficult one I have made so far.  Adding the top was an experiment that worked out pretty well.  I did a shallow basket a little larger than the bottom and added a wooden button on the top for a handle.  The button was cut for me from a branch I found in the yard.  This one is crochted over heavy twine.  It turned out pretty well and I am using it for sewing projects.

My little project bag made from clear and white bags crocheted over blue poly rope.  This rope from the Dollar Tree is available in red, blue and green and is easy to work with.

This the basket I am working with now and this is how I crochet over the rope.  I hold it along the row I am  crocheting and carry the plarn over it with each stitch - easy as pie.  I use a size G crochet hook and single crochet for most of the basket with some half double crochet for the sides. 

I don't use a pattern for I have been crocheting for so long I design my own as I crochet so no basket or bag is the same.  You can use any basket or bag pattern you like and they are easily found on the Internet.

There are several baskets and bags in my Etsy shop for sale if you would like to have a peek at Yarn & More.  I will adding more baskets in the future so check back often.

 I hope you will try this if you crochet and save lots of plastic bags from the landfill.  Your friends will be glad to save bags for you.  They are good for the beach and pool, shopping, or diaper bags.  Try it.

Nuff said,

The Georgia Peach

Chains of Beauty

Chains of Beauty

Good evening and come on in for a visit on this warm January day.  It is warm, sunny and feels like late spring and I'm loving it.  Doesn't matter to me if we don't have any more cold weather for I like warm not cold.  We spent the weekend in Alabama at the home place and the weather was warm and wonderful like the family group gathered to enjoy each other.

Awhile back I said I would share some of my craft projects with you and today is the day - ta dah.  The scarf in the picture above is so pretty you could also wear it for jewelry and it is so simple and allows you to use your imagination and make it to match your wardrobe. 

Many of my friends seeing me crochet tell me that all they know how to do is crochet a chain so I made this from nothing but simple, single, crocheted chains.  If you don't know how to make a crocheted chain, this is a good site to learn - http://crochet.about.com/od/learntocrochet/tp/crochet-for-beginners.htm.  It also has some advanced instructions also.

To make the scarf above, I gathered yarns from my stash and began to mix and match.  I used one multi colored yarn as the basis for the color selection but I used various kinds of yarn and needle sizes.  There are no rules other that crochet chains about 70 inches long from several types and colors of yarn.  Leave 8-10 inches at the beginning and the end for a long fringe.  This is also where you will even the length of the scarf.

As you can see from this scarf, I used shades of the same color but you can also use contrasting colors.  I included eyelash yarn, fun fur, knitting worsted and some big fluffy yarn.  All of these are 70 inch long chains of the simple chain stitch and several needle sizes.

After you have the chains crocheted, lay them side by side and find the center and make a knot.  Work down the scarf, knotting about every 8 inches and the last knot should be at the beginning of the fringe.  I don't do a double knot for all you need is a simple overhand knot. 

On one scarf, I did not knot in the center back but found the center back, measured about 4 inches to each side and made a knot and then knotted about every 8 inches down the sides of the scarf.  You don't have to be precise and you can knot it however you like. If you don't want to knot, you can wrap it several spots with yarn or ribbon.

Line up the fringe and even it by cutting the ends. 

You can also use strips of ribbons in the with the chains to add a different texture.  It is not a precise pattern and you can make it shorter or longer and use whatever yarns, ribbons or anything else you want to include.  In one, I used a couple of pieces of T shirt yarn.  These are made with 10 - 11 chains but I have made them with less or more. 

These are great projects to carry with you for you just take the yarns you have in your stash, crochet chains about 70 inches long, combine and knot a scarf. 

As you see, you can tie them, let them hang, wrap once or twice or carry the ends through some of the strands.  Very versatile and easy to make.  I crochet the chains when sitting around or traveling and when I need a new scarf or "necklace", check my chain collection, pick out a few, knot and wear.  Have fun.  I have several of these scarves at my Etsy shop so stop by for a visit.

Nuff said,

The Georgia Peach

Plarn Crocheted Bags

Good morning, ya'll. Come on in and have a cup of coffee and I will explain why I have a pictures of "pocket books". This is what we called purses or bags back in the olden days before they became known as bags or totes.

As you know, I like to crochet, knit, loom knit, and just generally play with thread and yarns to make stuff. I also like for it to be quick and easy and if I can recycle, it's even better. In a library book about bags to make, I found the instructions for crocheting strips made from plastic bags. I was fascinated by the idea and began a hobby which I enjoy and saves hundreds of plastic bags from the landfills.

I found several good websites about this idea and discovered it is called "plarn" or plastic yarn. Rather than bore you with details, I am attaching several websites you can look at and see how I make these bags.Each one is different for I have to change the directions on each one to make it mine. I like to add buttons, shells, yarn and string to decorate them.

This is my favorite website about plarn, www.myrecycledbags.com/, for she does a fantastic job with designing and explaining the process. Planet M Files has great pictures and instructions for making the plarn and you can find them at http://planetmfiles.com/2008/09/06/how-to-make-plarn/. These 2 sites will show you how and what some creative people are doing with this hobby.

These are the instructions for my basic bag but I design new patterns with each one for I let my imagination go and see what happens.

Basic Plarn Tote Pattern

Materials: Several large balls of plarn (plastic bag yarn)
Crochet Hook: Metal J or K

chain 25

Rnd 1
Sc in 2nd ch from hook in each chain.
Continue to the corner end st, work 2 Sc in end st. Continue around and down the back side of chain by working a Sc in every stitch of chain, work 2 Sc in end st.

Rnd 2
Sc in each st down to first end. Work 2 Sc in the two end sts, and then SC in ea st down to other end. Work 2 Sc in ea of the two end sts. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Sc in each st to create a seamless bag bottom.

Rnd 3 – Same as row 2 but 2 Sc in the 3 end sts.
Rnd 4 – Same as row 3 but 2 Sc in the 4 end sts.

Rnd 5 - Change to Hdc
Hdc in each st around entire bag continuing until you have it as deep as you like. I like mine to be about 14 inches deep.

Top Edging:
Row 1 – Sc around in each stitch around the bag. Join to the first Sc.
Row 2-4
Ch 2- Hdc in each Sc around the bag and join with Sl St in top of Ch 2.
Row 5
Ch1 , Sc in each stitch around the bag and join with sl st to the Ch1 and end off by leaving a length of yarn to weave in (to secure the end), cut the yarn. Pull the cut end of the yarn through the final loop that is left on the hook.

Straps (Make two)
I like to make my straps and attach them to the sides with yarn or plarn.

Chain 5 stitches.
Turn and SC in each of the 5 stitches

Continue until desired lengths are reached. I usually make mine about 18 inches long. You can make it shorter or longer and finish off.

To attach the straps I thread a needle used to make seams in crochet. Place one end of the strap about 2 inches from the side of the front or back of the bag and about 1 ½ inches down the bag on the inside. Sew the strap to the bag using an X pattern. Do the same for the other side and the back piece of the bag. If you use a contrasting yarn or heavy twine, it adds a decorative X to the bag. You can also attach them to the front of the bag and sew a button on each end of the strap for embellishment.

Abbreviations:
Ch - Chain
Hdc - Half Double Crochet
Plarn - Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd - Round
Sc - Single Crochet
Sl St - Slip Stitch
St – Stitch
If you have any questions about these instructions, please email me at fprobson@yahoo.com
This pattern is copyrighted by Frances Robson and may only be used for private individual use. No commercial sales or use is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2010

This is my first tutorial so forgive me if it is not correct. I tend to free crochet but I usually begin with chain 25 for a medium size tote and will chain 35 for a large one.

You can check my Etsy site for some pictures of my bags. http://www.etsy.com/shop/francesrobson?ref=si_shop

Ya'll be careful going home and come back to see me sometimes.

Nuff said,

The Georgia Peach